Bangladesh crisis: 209 inmates flee from high-security central jail during violent protest, 6 killed

During the violent protests in Bangladesh,209 inmates escaped from Gazipur's Kashimpur High-Security Central Jail on Tuesday, after taking the prison guards hostage.

Six people, including three militants, were killed as guards opened fire in a bid to prevent the inmates from escaping, according to prison sources.

The incident occurred on Tuesday (August 6) afternoon when a mob began protesting outside the jail.

Local sources reported that some inmates took a guard hostage and demanded the release of other detainees, and allefforts to defuse the situation failed.

In the meantime, the relatives of prisoners gathered at the gate upon hearing about the protest. At one point, the protesters set fire to a jute warehouse outside the jail.

“The guards tried to control the situation but failed. Later, for security reasons, the guards fired shots, resulting in six deaths,” he added.

The bodies of the deceased were sent to the morgue at Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital, according to Subrata.

Around 1:30 pm, military personnel arrived and regained control. They dispersed the protesters by chasing them away.

As of Wednesday morning, additional military personnel have been deployed at Kashimpur Jail, and the situation is under control.

Senior Jail Superintendent Subrata Kumar Bala has confirmed that three of the individuals who died were convicted for their involvement in the 2016 Holy Artisan Bakery militant attack.

The deceased include Imtiaz Pavel, son of Muqbul Mia from Rameshwapur, Moulvibazar, who was implicated in a murder case; Swapan Sheikh, son of Razzak Sheikh from Tartia, Tangail, who was convicted of robbery; and Ayatollah, son of Sirajul Islam from Jalosha, Sunamganj, who faced various criminal charges.

(With inputs from agencies)